Senate Finance Committee approves Tavenner nomination

AHA News NowApr 23, 2013

The Senate Finance Committee today voted unanimously to approve the president’s nomination of Marilyn Tavenner as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator, which next moves to the full Senate for consideration. In a letter to the committee this month, AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock said the association "enthusiastically supports" Tavenner’s nomination. "As acting administrator, Marilyn has demonstrated that she is willing to listen to, learn from and work in partnership with the nation's health care providers," Umbdenstock wrote. "She has worked to reduce red tape and regulatory burden to ensure that more providers' time and resources are spent on caring for patients. She also has spearheaded the Partnership for Patients initiative, which through its Hospital Engagement Network, has helped hospitals and health systems dramatically lower infection rates. In addition, she has pioneered new payment methods that offer opportunities to provide better patient-centered care more efficiently. Marilyn's varied and rich background as a nurse, health care executive and government official at the state and national levels gives her a unique perspective on health care and the challenges facing health care providers at this critical time."